Lin Chung-cheng (林忠正), a former member of the Financial Supervisory Commission (FSC) and legislator, complained yesterday that his conviction was tainted by “improper procedures” as he began a 14-year jail sentence.
The former Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) lawmaker was convicted late last year of receiving bribes worth NT$1.87 million (US$64,124) and other perks from private interests in exchange for lobbying on behalf of the business proposals of two financial institutions within the regulatory body.
NOT INFORMED
As he reported to the prison, Lin said that because the High Court did not inform him of his right to cross-examine co-defendant Su Jun-ji (蘇俊吉), who was his secretary at the commission, the verdict should be invalidated.
“I just hope prosecutors will review the whole trial process according to the law, and I will accept whatever result that comes from the review,” Lin said.
ILLEGAL LOBBYING
In their indictment against Lin in February 2007, prosecutors asked for a jail term of 16 years on charges of accepting bribes and illegal lobbying for several companies, including China Development Financial Holding Corp in its attempted hostile takeover of Taiwan International Securities Corp.
RESIGNATION
Lin resigned from the commission in October 2006 following a court order to detain him. He was a DPP legislator for 10 years before becoming a member of the commission in March 2005.
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